Champions League drama took center stage on February 24, 2026, as Europe’s elite clubs battled for coveted spots in the Round of 16. The night belonged to Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt, who pulled off a seismic upset at the San Siro, knocking out last year’s runners-up, Inter Milan, and sending shockwaves across the continent. With other heavyweights like Newcastle United, Atlético Madrid, and Bayer Leverkusen also punching their tickets to the next round, the competition’s knockout phase promises to deliver even more fireworks.
Inter Milan entered the second leg against Bodø/Glimt desperate to overturn a 3-1 deficit from the first match. The Serie A leaders, who had dazzled in domestic play, found themselves in unfamiliar territory—chasing a fairytale Norwegian squad that refused to back down. Despite dominating possession and peppering Bodø/Glimt’s goal with 30 shots (seven on target), Inter’s relentless attack yielded just a single goal. Their frustration was palpable as Nikita Haikin, Bodø/Glimt’s keeper, stood tall between the posts, denying wave after wave of Inter’s advances.
The first half saw Inter Milan throw everything at their opponents, yet the scoreboard remained stubbornly blank. According to match statistics, "Inter had 12 shots in the first half, having never had more without scoring in the opening 45 minutes of a Champions League knockout match on record (since 2003-04)." The pressure mounted on the Italian giants, and the tension inside the San Siro was almost tangible as fans hoped for a breakthrough.
But it was Bodø/Glimt who struck first after the break, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse. In the 58th minute, Manuel Akanji’s miscue gifted the ball to Jens Petter Hauge, who coolly slotted home his sixth Champions League goal of the season—and his second against Inter over the two legs. The former AC Milan striker’s finish put the Norwegian visitors firmly in control and left Inter needing a miracle to advance. As the commentator exclaimed, "BODØ/GLIMT STUN THE SAN SIRO! Former AC Milan striker Jens Petter Hauge cashes in on a gift of a mistake from Manuel Akanji to put the Norwegian side in total control."
Inter managed to pull one back, but it was too little, too late. The final whistle blew with the score 2-1 in favor of Bodø/Glimt, sealing a 4-1 aggregate triumph for the Norwegian club. The result sent Bodø/Glimt through to the Round of 16 for the first time in their history, while Inter Milan’s European campaign ended in heartbreak. The San Siro faithful were left stunned, and across Italy, concerns grew about the nation’s representation in the latter stages of the competition. As one report noted, "There’s a very realistic chance that not a SINGLE Italian side makes it into the Champions League Round of 16 this year."
Bodø/Glimt’s Cinderella run has captured the imagination of football fans everywhere. Having played just five competitive matches since the Norwegian Eliteserien ended in late November—all in the Champions League—they now await Friday’s draw to discover whether they’ll face Sporting or Manchester City next. The draw, scheduled for February 27, 2026, at 6 a.m. ET, will be streamed online via UEFA’s website and official channels.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United continued their resurgence under the bright lights of the Champions League. The Magpies made light work of Azerbaijani side Qarabağ, building on a commanding 6-1 first-leg win with a 3-2 victory in the return fixture. That result gave Newcastle a whopping 9-3 aggregate win and set up a tantalizing Round of 16 clash against either Barcelona or Chelsea. The Premier League side’s attacking prowess was on full display, and their fans will be dreaming of a deep run in Europe’s top competition.
Atlético Madrid, another of the night’s big winners, advanced with a 7-4 aggregate triumph over Club Brugge. The Spanish outfit’s 4-1 win in the second leg was highlighted by Alexander Sørloth’s sensational hat trick and a stunning strike from USMNT midfielder Johnny Cardoso. Atlético’s reward? A showdown with either Liverpool or Tottenham in the next round—a matchup that already has neutrals salivating.
Bayer Leverkusen also booked their place in the last 16, holding firm to their 2-0 first-leg advantage to eliminate Greek side Olympiacos. Patrick Schick’s heroics in the opening encounter proved decisive, and the German club will now prepare for a clash with either Arsenal or Bayern Munich. The knockout bracket is taking shape, with Europe’s best ready to battle for the ultimate prize.
The Champions League’s new format and seeding system have added extra intrigue this season. As explained by BBC Sport, "The eight winners of the two-legged knockout phase play-offs join the top eight sides from the league-phase table in the draw. From this point onward the competition adopts a knockout format, with each fixture other than the final contested over two legs." Seeding is based on league phase standings, giving top finishers a home advantage in the second leg—a wrinkle that could prove crucial as the stakes rise.
Premier League clubs are well represented in the draw, with Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Tottenham Hotspur already qualified for the last 16. Newcastle’s emphatic victory means six English sides could feature in the knockout rounds, potentially leading to scheduling headaches for domestic fixtures. UEFA has yet to provide guarantees on fixture dates, and the Premier League may need to reschedule matches involving Champions League participants.
Another subplot is the eligibility of January signings. Players registered in the Champions League ‘A list’ before the knockout play-offs are eligible to feature, giving clubs the chance to bolster their squads for the business end of the competition. Manchester City, for instance, can now call upon Marc Guehi and Antoine Semenyo, while Tottenham have added Conor Gallagher to their ranks.
The draw for the Round of 16 will not only determine opponents but also map out each team’s potential path to the final, which is set for May 30, 2026, at the Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary. With teams from the same country able to face each other and the possibility of rematches from the league phase, every ball drawn on Friday will carry enormous weight.
As the dust settles on a dramatic night of Champions League action, attention now turns to the looming draw. Can Bodø/Glimt continue their fairytale journey? Will Newcastle’s momentum carry them past European royalty? And which giants will be pitted against each other in the next round? One thing’s for certain: the road to Budapest is wide open, and the drama is only just beginning.